I have so much information on tattoo inks that it would take several posts to include it all. First and foremost I will say that from a chemistry perspective tattoo inks are not inks at all, they are pigments in a carrier solution. Huh?Simply put it is kind of like adding water to finger paints. However in this case the pigments are typically metal, plastic, or vegetable based while the carrier portions is more than likely some alcohol solution.

There are two considerations the first is the potential toxic nature of the ‘inks’ and the other is the fact that there is no regulation of ink composition. While your tattoo artist is a dynamic artist, he/she is probably no a chemist. You should be concerned here because many tattoo artists mix their own inks. Is this occurring in a sterile environment? Highly unlikely.

It would seem that many more people would come down with illnesses related to tattoos but it just does not seem to be the big of a deal. Well consider this, the human body is resilient on many levels and does a pretty good job of keeping us healthy. Still the issue here is the prolonged exposure to the impure or toxic components of tattoo inks. So what happens in year 5, 10, or 20? As for the recent wave of tattoo enthusiasts it may be too soon to tell. Some have found out the hard way that they are in fact allergic to materials in the inks. What do you do when you are allergic to something that is under the skin. Even the process of removal has the potential to make you even sicker as the inks are now passed through the lymph node system and expelled…

There will be a much more in depth post on tattoo inks forthcoming but I would encourage you to talk to your tattoo artists about the inks they use and where they come from. Ask them about the environment where they are stored and if there is a standard for sterilization.

Perhaps this is another reason tattoo removal is on the rise like never before.

There are three critical components to a great tattoo, the tattoo design, the inks chosen for the tattoo, the tattoo artist. When all these things come together the result can be a really fantastic tattoo that will last and look good for years to come. If any one of these components is not there then the result is less than desired. If more than one dynamic is out of place then the result can be a horrible tattoo.

It is fair to say that every person should be accountable for their body art design. But what about the tattoo artist, do they have some responsibility too?. After all in selected cases they will be paid $120/hr or more. The artist should assist the user understand the makeup of the detail and inks involved. Most customers do not know that numerous color inks are made from different base materials whether they are metals or plastics. Each will fair differently over time as components of the pigments are absorbed by the lymph nodes of the customer.

There can also be a need to make sure there is proper detail as some inks will dull in a way that can make a tattoo unattractive over time.

However an inexperienced body art artist can be a total calamity. Need I say more?

Before I finish, I have to mention that people make a huge mistake in getting a tattoo in a place that is likely to transform over time, which frankly could be all over. Those tight abs and buns could turn to beer bellies and padunk-a-dunks. Once that tattoo design is stretched to twice its original size it is sure to lose some of its flare.

So a bad tattoo is any tattoo that you can’t stand to look at for any number of reasons. Well if you think getting a tattoo is a tough decision, just wait until you decide you no longer want it. That is a challenge all on its own.

Tattoo removal is growing by leaps and bounds. Laser removal, dermabrasion, and tattoo removal crèmes are the most popular options. They can range immensely in cost and none of them are on the spot. So if you have a tattoo that is now a BAD tattoo, consider getting rid of it.

What is also growing is the number of people who have tattoo remorse. Essentially they have tattoos that they no longer like or want on their bodies. Perhaps there is good reason for this since there are a lot of amateur tattoo artists out there who are applying a lot of bad tattoos. Another factor could be that many people get a tattoo on a dare or are simply anxious to have one so there is limited thought into what tattoo they should get or where it should go. In other cases the sentiment that dreamed up the tattoo idea is gone especially in the case of relationship where the love birds fly apart. This can lead even worse tattoos as people are now seeking options to have their tattoos morphed into something else. In other cases people simply outgrow their tattoo fetish. Others are finding that tattoos are not a great compliment to white collar success.

Nonetheless, the tattoo removal industry is growing by leaps and bounds as people make a mad dash to find ways to remove unwanted tattoos. What seems to be surprising to many is the cost and discomfort of tattoo removal.

The treatments range from laser tattoo removal to do-it-yourself tattoo removal creams. But the reality is none of these options are instant and they all have there associated costs and risks. At the end of the day it is clear that no matter what tattoo you get, if you ever decide you no longer want it, tattoo removal will take more time and cost a lot more than the original application.

Perhaps the only bright side is that there is a lot of company in the same line as you. This will hopefully drive down prices and help to bring continuous improvement to the do-it-yourself options. The best advice is to get as much information as you can tattoo removal can be expensive, painful, and have long-term ramifications that you may not consider if you just rush into it.

So take some time to get really educated on your tattoo removal options and get all your questions answered in advance.